Company sues BMW in billing dispute Columbia company wants local court to help resolve dispute

Published: Thursday, April 20, 1995 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 20, 1995 at 12:00 a.m.

A West Columbia company on Wednesday filed suit in Spartanburg County court to help resolve a payment dispute it is having with BMW and its contractors. MSI Construction Co. Inc. filed three mechanic's lien foreclosures - totaling $918,050.73 - against BMW Holding Corp. , the S.C. State Ports Authority, S.B. Acquisitions and several contractors interest in the automobile manufacturing plant. MSI claims it has not been paid for the labor and materials used for construction work at the new Spartanburg County facility. The suit names Procon Engineering and Consulting, Eisenmann Corp., EPPA Industries and DURR Industries as the contractors involved in the disputes. BMW spokesman Bobby Hitt said the dispute is really between MSI and the contractor. During contract disputes, subcontractors generally seek payment from the company ultimately benefiting from the services. "It's a normal part of business resolution," Hitt said. "I'm not surprised by it, I'm not concerned by it and it will have no affect on our business." The MSI suit is the second mechanic's lien filed against BMW this month. On April 4, EPPA Industries Inc., a Michigan heating and air conditioning company, filed a $461,233 mechanic's lien foreclosure for an unpaid bill. At least 25 mechanics' liens totaling $4.25 million have been filed against BMW by 10 different companies, according to records filed with the county Register of Mesne Conveyance. Of those disputes, eight - involving $57,818.54 - have been resolved out of court. Though Hitt said he expects more mechanic's liens to be filed, Hitt said the $400 million plant has seen relatively few mechanic's liens considering the size of the project, though he expects to see more filed. MSI lawyer George Nicholson declined to comment until all parties have been served with the suit. Original Atex file name: LIEN20

<p> A West Columbia company on Wednesday filed suit in Spartanburg County court to help resolve a payment dispute it is having with BMW and its contractors. MSI Construction Co. Inc. filed three mechanic's lien foreclosures - totaling $918,050.73 - against BMW Holding Corp. , the S.C. State Ports Authority, S.B. Acquisitions and several contractors interest in the automobile manufacturing plant. MSI claims it has not been paid for the labor and materials used for construction work at the new Spartanburg County facility. The suit names Procon Engineering and Consulting, Eisenmann Corp., EPPA Industries and DURR Industries as the contractors involved in the disputes. BMW spokesman Bobby Hitt said the dispute is really between MSI and the contractor. During contract disputes, subcontractors generally seek payment from the company ultimately benefiting from the services. "It's a normal part of business resolution," Hitt said. "I'm not surprised by it, I'm not concerned by it and it will have no affect on our business." The MSI suit is the second mechanic's lien filed against BMW this month. On April 4, EPPA Industries Inc., a Michigan heating and air conditioning company, filed a $461,233 mechanic's lien foreclosure for an unpaid bill. At least 25 mechanics' liens totaling $4.25 million have been filed against BMW by 10 different companies, according to records filed with the county Register of Mesne Conveyance. Of those disputes, eight - involving $57,818.54 - have been resolved out of court. Though Hitt said he expects more mechanic's liens to be filed, Hitt said the $400 million plant has seen relatively few mechanic's liens considering the size of the project, though he expects to see more filed. MSI lawyer George Nicholson declined to comment until all parties have been served with the suit. Original Atex file name: LIEN20</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output -->